The Australian decisive move to ban social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Momentum
In Europe, a rising chorus of states are moving toward parallel measures.
- Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM stating that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our children's innocence". A law could be passed soon.
- Norway is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the algorithms".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the measures in reserve".
- In The Spanish government, the president has called on parliament to pass a law increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has advised parents to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15.
Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a non-binding motion calling for a ban for minors except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the step does not create enforceable legislation.
"A clear age limit is a good foundation," said the parliamentarian supporting the measure.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in conclusive research".
Last year, support built behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. However, the government committed to further research the topic.
Advocacy groups have raised warnings. One foundation founded by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after encountering dangerous social media material suggests that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people become eligible.
"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are secure and age appropriate for young users," said a leading online safety campaigner.
The US: A State-by-State Approach
In the United States, action is mostly occurring at the regional level amid national gridlock.
- The state of Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a law barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has enacted a regulation restricting teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with extra access requiring a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed measures requiring guardian approval for teenagers to open social media presences.
Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from various politicians to mimic Australia's example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.
Global Outlook
Outside of the West, additional countries are similarly taking action.
- The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- Brazil has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.
However, world agencies adopt a more cautious stance. Unicef has cautioned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even prove counterproductive". The body notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve child safeguards.
Even as this worldwide debate unfolds, the actions of this nation and several other countries indicate that states around the world are no longer content to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.
